Parallel-jaw pliers



(No Model.)

A. SCHATZ. PARALLEL JAW PLIERS.

No.v 557,615. Patented Apr. 7, 1896.

WTNESSES.'

i ATENT OFFICE.

ADOLF SCI'IATZ, OF NElY HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

PARALLEL-JAW PLIERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 557,615, dated April 7, 1896.

Application filed February 20, 1895. Renewed February 12, 1896. Serial No. 579,102. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ADoLn SCHATZ, a citizen of the United States, and aresident of New IIaven, county of New Haven, and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Parallel-J aw Pliers, of which the following is a full, clear, and enact specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l is an elevation of my improved parallel-j aw pliers. Figs. 2 and 3 are horizontal longitudinal sections showing the several parts in opened and closed positions, respectively. Fig. a is a horizontal section of one jaw. Fig. 5 is a side view of the saine. Fig. G is a view showing the shape of a blank of sheet metal from which one of the jaws is to be formed. Fig. '7 is a top view of the tongue or middle piece guiding the movement of the jaws. Fig. 8 is a side view ofthe tongue or middle piece with a washer inserted, this washer being shown in section. Fig. 9 is a view showing the shape before bending of a blank of sheet meta-l for the tongue guiding the movement of the jaws.

My invention relates to wire and sheetmetal working tools of the class known as parallel-j aw pliers g and it consists of a novel construction providing a more efficient and secure guiding of the jaws by means of a tongue or middle piece set on the pivot connecting the handles in their crossingpoint- My improved parallel-jaw pliers consist of handles A and A2, and jaws B and B2 pivoted to the handles by screw-bolts b. The shape of the handles is immaterial. They may be made of iron or steel and in any known manner, either hollow, stamped out of sheet metal and bent into proper shape, or cast of malleable iron, or they may be composed of several parts of different materials, the forks holding the jaws being made of iron or steel, and suitably-shaped handles of other material-such as wood, celluloid, and the likeattached to them. This last-mentioned construction is especially suitable for tools used in electrica-l wiring.

Jaws B and B2 are made of sheet-steel. First, the blank shown in Fig. 6 is stamped out, and the jaw then bent into proper shape, as indicated by the dotted lines. The inner ends are cut at an obtuse angle to form in clined planes e, with which the jaws glide on the corresponding edges f of the tongue C. It will be observed that the backs c of the jaws are curved. This curving is made in conformity with the course described by edges d of the handles in opening and closing the pliers and for the purpose of holding the jaws firmly between the edges f and CZ in every position and to make them move parallel to each other. Tongue C is also made hollow, being stamped of sheet metal in the shape shown in Fig. 9 and then bent, as shown in Fig. 8. It is made double, the parts being connected by piece g and arranged to engage, respectively, the upper and the lower edges e of the hollow jaws. If the jaws be made full, as may be the case in large tools for very heavy work, the tongue might also be made full; but then for the purpose of reducing the friction it would be well to bevel the edges f from both sides.

Tongue C has an important function in the construction of this tool. It not only guides the parallel movement of the jaws B and B2, but also takes up the strain exerted upon them by the pressure of handles A and A2, thus greatly increasing the force of the grip between the jaws and relieving the strain upon the handles. This will be readily understood by following the operation of the force exerted upon the handles to hold an object between the jaws of the pliers. Handles A/ and A2 constitute levers fulcrumed in the crossing-point I. The jaws also constitute levers fulcrumed in points b. lVhen an object is held between the jaws, resisting their movement together, the strain thus produced upon the inner ends ofA the jaws is taken up by the tongue C, the inner ends of the jaws pressing against its slanting edges f and through it transferred upon the pivot I. There being no connection between the jaws and the handles back of the pivot I, the strain cannot operate against the handles, as in pliers whose jaws are guided by pins set in handles back of their crossing-point, and therefore the full force applied to the handles will bear upon the jaws. Tongue C also obviates the splitting or slotting of the inner ends of the jaws of parallel-jaw pliers, whereby the jaws are considerably weakened, and does away with the guiding-pivots set in IOO the handles and deeoting a considerable part of the power exerted upon the handles.

The parts are set together as follows: First, the handles A and A2 are slid one in another to cross on holes for pivot I. Then tongue C is slid in between the handles in its place, stud h being set between the parts of the tongue C, and then pivot I is inserted, pivoting the handles and holding also the tongue. Next the jaws B and B2 are set between the forks of the handles A' and A2, respectively, and pivoted by screw-bolts Z). Instead of screwbolts, and also instead of pivot I, ordinary rivets may be used in the manufacture of pliers of small sizes; but screws are preferable, es* peoially for larger sizes and iiner grades of such tools.

Upon this specification I claim as a new invention and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. Parallel-jaw pliers having jaws pivoted to the ends of crossed handles, the inner ends of the jaws gliding on corresponding edges of a tongue or middle piece, set on the pivot connecting the handles in their crossing-point.

2. In parallel-jaw pliers, the combination with the forked handles and with the tongue, of jaws, having backs curved in conformity with the course described by the edges, bind ing the tines of the forked handles, and in conformity with their own motion, for the purpose of holding the inner ends of the jaws in every position iirmly wedged between the guiding edges of the tongue and the edges of the handles.

3. In parallel-j aw pliers the combination of hollow jaws, pivoted to the end of crossed handles, with a double or hollow tongue, set on the pivot connecting the handles in their crossing-point and arranged to engage respectively the corresponding upper and the lower edge of the hollow jaws.

ADOLF SCHATZ.

Witnesses:

IVILLIAM MUESER, N. TANZER. 

